Moss Rock Preserve Red Trail
Photo: EricEricson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 0.8 mi
- round trip
- 381 ft
- climb
- 727 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Oct–May
- best months
Moss Rock Preserve Red Trail is an easy hike in northwest Alabama, about 0.4 miles from the town of Highland Crest. The trail is an out-and-back route of about 1.7 miles, with a total elevation gain of 105 feet, and it is rated easy. The trail's high point reaches about 727 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at around 0.55 miles in, where the grade reaches about 9 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Helena run highs of about 76°F in April and October, while July and August average highs near 92°F. Climbers will find several areas close by, including Lost Roof Area, Bolt Boulder and Ozzy Area, each about 0.7 miles away. The Moss Rock Preserve White Trail is about 1.4 miles off.
Best time to go · Oct–May
Best time to visit Moss Rock Preserve Red Trail
Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
55° / 35°
11 wet
Feb
60° / 38°
11 wet
Mar
68° / 45°
12 wet
Apr
76° / 51°
10 wet
May
83° / 60°
10 wet
Jun
90° / 68°
11 wet
Jul
92° / 71°
12 wet
Aug
92° / 70°
11 wet
Sep
87° / 64°
8 wet
Oct
76° / 52°
8 wet
Nov
65° / 42°
9 wet
Dec
57° / 37°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Helena, AL, 7.2 mi away at 480 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: EricEricson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Moss Rock Preserve White Trail
~2 min drive
Scenic 2.69-mile loop through Alabama's Moss Rock Preserve with quartzite formations.
Photo: EricEricson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Moss Rock Preserve Orange Trail
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0.37-mile out-and-back trail with 182 ft gain in Alabama.
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Green/Yellow Ridge Trail
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0.41-mile out-and-back trail on a ridge in Alabama with 141 ft gain.
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Yellow/White Connector
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0.75-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama with 145 ft elevation gain.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
